BRD4 regulates adiponectin gene induction by recruiting the P-TEFb complex to the transcribed region of the gene

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 20;7(1):11962. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12342-2.

Abstract

We previously reported that induction of the adipocyte-specific gene adiponectin (Adipoq) during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation is closely associated with epigenetic memory histone H3 acetylation on the transcribed region of the gene. We used 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Brd4 heterozygous mice to investigate whether the induction of Adipoq during adipocyte differentiation is regulated by histone acetylation and the binding protein bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) on the transcribed region. Depletion of BRD4 by shRNA and inhibition by (+)-JQ1, an inhibitor of BET family proteins including BRD4, reduced Adipoq expression and lipid droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, the depletion and inhibition of BRD4 reduced the expression of many insulin sensitivity-related genes, including genes related to lipid droplet accumulation in adipocytes. BRD4 depletion reduced P-TEFb recruitment and histone acetylation on the transcribed region of the Adipoq gene. The expression levels of Adipoq and fatty acid synthesis-related genes and the circulating ADIPOQ protein level were lower in Brd4 heterozygous mice than in wild-type mice at 21 days after birth. These findings indicate that BRD4 regulates the Adipoq gene by recruiting P-TEFb onto acetylated histones in the transcribed region of the gene and regulates adipocyte differentiation by regulating the expression of genes related to insulin sensitivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Adiponectin / biosynthesis*
  • Animals
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Positive Transcriptional Elongation Factor B / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Activation*

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Brd4 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Positive Transcriptional Elongation Factor B